I don't always like to paint in a realist way...sometimes I like to make stuff up based on imagery I have seen and experienced...to have fun with paint...you get it or ya don't...this one may be sold already...waiting to find out...which would be goodish...

Having spent time in the high arctic, I am very partial to inuksuit (plural for inuksuk - cairn). You find them all over the place and in the middle of nowhere in the tundra, pointing you the way. They are always a welcome site.

Nice to see you back on this site Skip. I could see your work on your FB page, but I like it here best.

I am getting along pretty well with the new hip. The Physical Therapist tells me I'm ahead of schedule and the Dr. likes his work. Good by me.

I ramped back up on the Arctic Char that I had basically carved before the operation. Got him to the point that he could stands on his own "legs". I always like that point in a carving. These photos don't show him in his final position. The nose will not be pointing so far down (and, hence, his tail won't be bumping the branch). But, it's close enough to give you the idea. I hope to finish the rocks and branch tomorrow.

The fish will be connected with a bit of boomarang shaped aluminum, courtesy of Koffler's scrap pile.

The paired fins won't be connected until after the painting is finished. I just stuck the photo side fins in for the pic.

Fair enough question. like most of the people I shoot photos of with tattoos, there's a bit of a personal backstory. A couple of people have asked me about that, so I asked Ash if I could share it.

At age 15, her mom pulled her aside and told Ash that she was "a complete failure, and would never amount to anything." It was a turning point.

Since that time, there's been an unplanned pregnancy; a couple of years working as an exotic dancer in a "gentleman's club," [ironic quotes] with abusive bosses and grabby customers; a near-miss with an [ex]-fiance who ended up being abusive. In other words a whole string of bad breaks, bad luck, and bad decisions.

But there's also been, through it all, a beautiful baby boy; a high school diploma earned as a single mom; and (finally) a stable relationship with someone who treats her well.

You might notice the line drawn through the "Failure" -- it's to denote her belief that "Failure is not an option" -- and her persistence and belief in that is one of the reasons that she's not just one of my models, but has become a good friend of the family.

So just as beauty is only skin deep -- you can't judge a book by it's cover.